*********************************** AM/FM ***********************************  Crackles or Absolution? by David Cassidy, of Cynostic The introduction of digital technology into recording studios has brought about a strange new kind of musical revolution. For decades the procedure has been to use magnetic tape on which to record - the analogue method. Although this is still the case, the introduction of Compact Disc technology forced the studios to search for absolute digital recording. This arrived in various forms, the most domestic of which has been DAT (Digital Audio Tape to the uninitiated). In the studio I believe that the system is basically the same - they use DAT but in a larger, more industrial form. Anyhow: the question has now arisen of how recorded music is meant to be heard. The traditional studio technicians, who favour analogue systems, maintain that digital recordings - CDs for example - take away the "soul" of records. When you listen to vinyl, they insist, there is a feeling - a sound - which is the whole essence of recording artistry. CDs, they say, take this away. It is too sharp, too metallic, to maintain the essence of the recording. Basically, they want things to stay the same. As far as I can see, their only complaint is that digital recording is too perfect. The whole point of digital recording is to retain, as close as possible, the actual sound made during the recording session itself. What you hear in the studio is, to the closest as anyone has yet achieved, what you'll hear via digital technology. Analogue, on the other hand, although retaining the basics of what is heard in the studio, adds crackles and snaps to the playback. This is unavoidable because analogue is such an inexact method of recording. Everyone knows that and everyone admits that. So what is the problem with these people?! For decades we've been stuck with an inexact domestic playback technique. We've been crying out for a better way for years. And now we've got one someone pipes up and says "well I prefer the old way. Because it sounds better". What utter tosh. Apart from the fact that digital media is easier to control, has easier access, is (or can be) cheaper and so on, the sound resulting from its playback is far superior to any kind of domestic playback technique used previously. What would you choose? A record on vinyl or CD? I think most people would choose CD. Not because it is cheaper (it isn't in the UK, anyway) but because it's better. It's as simple as that. This fact is born out in the statistics - CD sales now outweigh all other formats by a considerable margin. So I really don't understand these people's problem. Maybe they're neanderthalic. Maybe they're so set in their ways that they're scared of change. Or maybe they're just obstinately stupid farts. The only real problem with digital records - CDs - is that they are too dear. A CD can be manufactured for as little as £0.58. Yet they are sold in the UK for about £12 each!! Even with studio production costs and retail mark-up this is an extraordinary figure. Especially when you learn that album sales now outweigh singles by ten to one!! At the moment an investigation into record company pricing practices is being carried out by the UK governments. They've already come to the conclusion that CDs are a rip-off. So what are they going to do about it? Very little, I should imagine!! This aside, the strive towards a completely digital recording society is well on the way. Domestic digital recording systems are available now - DAT is one (expensive) option - and recordable CDs are also on the way. (Actually, Phillips are developing a project called CD-E(rasable) which they foresee entering the market in 1995 or '96. And they've only just released DCC...!) Digital broadcasting is also being developed. Radio will soon no longer suffer the drawbacks of the good - but not perfect - FM (Frequency Modulations) method of broadcasting. With digital broadcasting and reception you will no longer suffer the horribly annoying fading and crackling of your radio when you go underneath a bridge in your car, for example. Automatic readjustments to broadcast wavelengths will be possible. Perfect sound through the air. Wonderful! If nobody ever mentions vinyl again I'll be happy. But, they will always be around because they're so essential to the history of recording. I've got loads of 12-inch records and they're still the preferred format for DJs everywhere. So, I doubt we will ever see a completely digital recording society. But I can always dream, can't I.  Write to: David Cassidy, 85 Wyken Croft, Coventry, CV2 3AD, UNITED KINGDOM. Or telephone: +44 (0)203 613817 Or fax: +44 (0)203 682084